Round the World Experts' Travel Wishlist 2016

With the new year already here, chatter in the travel-obsessed Round the World Experts office has inevitably turned to our holiday plans for 2016. With some of us jetting off on the 'Big Trip' and ticking things off our ever-increasing bucket lists, and others visiting friends and family or simply hoping for a relaxing break, there’s much debate over what the travel must-do is for the forthcoming year. So, whether you’re looking for inspiration to plan your own Journey, or are just plain nosy and want to know where we go on our holidays, read on to find out what’s on our travel wishlist for 2016.

Trans-Siberian Railway

Wished by: Dominique Kotsias

The very mention of the Trans-Siberian Railway, a 5,772-mile route that connects Moscow with Vladivostok and Beijing, brings to mind romantic notions of sleeping in comfortable train compartments and making friends with Russians over a vodka or three as the train chugs through snow-sprinkled landscapes and endless pine forests. For Dominique though, it’s the mix of cultures that appeals, as she explains: “I can’t wait to take in the diversity of the journey and explore. I’m looking forward to getting to Mongolia, and I’m hoping to stop over in Dubai on the way home from Beijing.”

Make it happen: Chat to your Round the World Expert for further information.

USA road trip

Wished by: Alex Gregg

For Alex, 2016’s holidays were an easy choice. She’s already booked an epic USA and Canada road trip for the end of May, covering Toronto, Niagara, New York, Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, San Simeon and Los Angeles. I’m exhausted just typing the itinerary.

An excited Alex tells me, “The USA is big, bold and diverse. It’s the place you always see depicted on TV and in the movies and, as huge fans of both the big screen and the great outdoors, my partner and I have been desperate to explore it for years. In particular I’m excited about visiting New York again (last time I went I was just 18!), as well as clapping eyes on El Capitan in the Yosemite Valley for the first time, navigating low-hanging cloud on the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Universal Studios Hollywood – purely for the Jurassic Park Ride and Back to the Future set.”

Make it happen: Road trip the USA in style on our Coast to Coast Journey.

Ultimate Southeast Asia

Wished by: Helen Winter

“Next year I am doing the big trip! Three months travelling across Southeast Asia – Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali and then on to New Zealand – hopefully on a working holiday visa,” says Helen, making us all rather jealous.

Being super-organised she has already planned her itinerary, as she reveals: “Of course the temples and ancient cities like Ayutthaya are a must, but I’m also interested in the natural surroundings like the jungles and beaches. I’m very excited to be working at an elephant sanctuary for one night too, as I’m a huge fan of eco-tourism.” But why Asia? “Aside from being the ‘thing to do’ I’ve never been anywhere quite like Asia before so my trip is all about immersing myself in an entirely different culture and environment,” she says.

Make it happen: Head off on your own Southeast Asian odyssey with our Indochina Explorer Journey.

Mexico

Wished by: Tess Watkins

After years of dreaming, Tess is finally going to tick Mexico off her bucket list in November. This may seem a long way off, but she’s already counting down, saying: “I am desperate to see Chichen Itza and the Tulum ruins, and it has been a lifelong dream of mine to set sail on a whale shark tour around Isla Mujeres. From white-sandy beaches and plunging cenotes to ancient jungle ruins and the rich history of Mexico City – this Latin American destination has always been a must-visit for me. I can’t wait to discover the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, sip a cocktail in Downtown Cancun and explore kaleidoscopic marine life at Xel-Ha, the world’s largest aquarium.” We can’t argue with that.

Make it happen: Fancy going to Mexico like Tess? Check out our Best of Mexico Journey.

Canada

Wished by: Angela Griffin

What about me? I’ve travelled all over the globe but one place I’ve never been to is Canada. For some reason I always end up taking my holidays in the middle of summer, so it would be a real contrast for me to experience the ice and snow. I can just picture myself wrapped up all toasty warm by the fire with a steaming hot chocolate. I’m planning to take in those dramatic mountain landscapes from the comfort of the Rocky Mountaineer, but I’d love to get outdoors and see some wild bears as well. I know I’d have to be very lucky to see the famous white spirit bear, but I can dream.

Celebrating birthdays, weddings and football in the USA

Wished by: Lauren Burvill

Lauren is looking to visit the USA in 2016, casually explaining: “We have a wedding to attend in Cape Cod so will probably tack on a trip with it. I’m turning 30 around the same time too so would ideally like to spend it in Las Vegas or New York. I think we’ll probably do a road trip on the west coast, check out San Francisco as I’ve never been before, then drive around to Yosemite National Park, Las Vegas then down to LA before heading back to the east coast. My boyfriend is a huge Dallas Cowboys fan so I’m sure he’s going to tack on a stopover to Texas too, which I’d be fine with! I’m really looking forward to visiting Cape Cod and hopefully, if we have time, drive up to Maine. My only knowledge of Maine comes from episodes of Murder She Wrote, so it would be good to get to know it beyond the fictional Cabot Cove!”

Make it happen: Follow in Lauren’s footsteps with one of our USA Journeys.

The indecisive one

Wished by: Becky Greaves

There’s always one! When faced with a choice from the whole world, Becky just couldn’t decide, saying: “The list is very long: Great Wall of China, cherry blossoms in Japan, Antarctica, Alaska, Norway, Sweden…” Once she’s made up her mind, it’s still going to be a tough decision on what to do when she’s there. “I fancy walking the Great Wall of China – although not all of it, that might take a while – seeing the pandas and no doubt taking inordinate amounts of photos. In Japan I’d love to dress up like a Geisha and in Alaska I’d love to see whales or go kayaking. I’m hoping to see the Northern Lights too.” When asked why, Becky simply said “why not?” as good a reason as any to book at trip.

Make it happen: If, like Becky, you need advice on where to go, chat to Round the World Experts or have a look at our active Journeys.